McMurry, Hardin-Simmons universities facing the music without band directors this summer

McMurry University Director of Bands David Robinson listens intently while his wind ensemble rehearses for its performance earlier this year at Carnegie Hall. Robinson has taken a similar position at Tarleton State University.(Photo: Greg Jaklewicz/Reporter-News)Buy Photo

McMurry University band director David Robinson has left the school for a similar position at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.

Monday was Robinson's final day at McMurry.

On Friday, a posting on the Hardin-Simmons University website announced that Wayne Dorothy, director of the Cowboy Band for the past 17 years, is being reassigned to a teaching role.

Robinson said he has fond memories since he was appointed director of bands in 2012, but two that stick out are fairly recently.

Trips to London and New York City qualify as distant memories.

"The London New Year’s Day Parade (on Jan. 1, 2016) and Carnegie Hall performance March 15) were the definite highlights of my time here," Robinson said in an email. "For both of those performances, I’m most proud of how hard the band members worked to make those performances special."

Robinson will serve as director of bands at Tarleton State beginning in the fall.

According to the posting, "the Director of Bands will conduct the Wind Ensemble and Marching Band. Responsibilities include teaching courses in the music education (i.e. Introduction to Music Education and Marching Band Techniques) and the music theory sequences (i.e. Forms and Styles). The successful applicant will actively recruit and retain talented students, participate in student and professional activities supported by the department, and participate on appropriate university committees as needed."

While McMurry looks to fill its band position opening by Aug. 1, Hardin-Simmons also hopes to fill its opening by the same date.

Dorothy was expected to remain employed at the school as the current administration separates the band director position from teaching responsibilities to create a full-time director's position.